Commentary: Agricultural advocacy starts now

Food fights seem entertaining. But there’s nothing funny about the fights taking place over agriculture.

Animal welfare, biotechnology and limited resources are just a few of the issues causing concern at the grocery store.

That consumer confusion has ignited a spark in Hale County Farm Bureau (CFB) leaders, who are looking for ways to bring youth into the conversation.

“One message will not reach all segments of the population. That’s why we need to get our young people involved,” said Hale CFB board member Mark True.

Small actions. Big voices. That’s agricultural advocacy. A step the county Farm Bureau board of directors recently took with local 4-Hers.They partnered with Texas Farm Bureau Public Relations staff and Hale County 4-H Extension agent Cassidy Peek to host an advocacy training. Sharing tips, tricks and tools to use to become better advocates for Texas and American agriculture.

“We need to take an active role in communicating the positive stories of agriculture,” True said. “We need to be part of the solution.”Hale CFB leaders also shared their personal experiences and expressed the need for agricultural youth to take the next step.

Social media—Facebook, Twitter, Instagram—is one of the avenues to share their story, True said. It’s a way for them to connect with a wider audience they may not have reached before. But talking face-to-face with their peers is important, too.

“Agriculture has many stories to tell,” True said. “If we don’t tell them, someone else will tell them for us. This group can reach their peers—a younger age group that’s tougher for us to reach.”

True and fellow board members left the 4-Hers with one final thought: Step up. Speak out. And bring an understanding to the table.